Formed in 1967, signed in 1971, and fronted by iconic vocalist Kevin Cronin since 1972, REO Speedwagon is a band where the main constant over the decades is a never-ending desire to give their all to their fans, year in and year out.

Formed loosely in the late ‘60s at college in Champaign, IL, REO (named after the precursor to the light truck) rode to gigs in station wagons, hopping from small gigs to even tinier gigs, just to get their name out. It worked, as fans quickly realized there was much more going on here than your average college party band.

By the early ‘70s, the band’s unrelenting drive, as well as non-stop touring and recording, jumpstarted the burgeoning rock movement in the Midwest. Platinum albums and freeform FM radio staples such as “Ridin’ The Storm Out” followed, setting the stage for 1980’s explosive Hi Infidelity. REO rode the top of the charts with a RIAA-certified 22 million albums sold in the U.S. and 40 million around the globe, with a string of gold and platinum records and international hit singles.

In 1994, when many rock bands of their era had either broken up, or were feeling like their days were numbered, the REO team came up with a co-headline tour concept that breathed new life into the world of touring. The “Can’t Stop Rockin’” amphitheater tour featuring Fleetwood Mac, REO, and Pat Benatar was a huge success and blazed the trail for the very popular co-headline tours that are seen nationwide today.

Today, fully established with songs on the radio in every city and town they ever set foot in, REO Speedwagon still has that Midwest work ethic. The band has gone on stage and in the studio to work– dozens of albums, thousands of concerts, and countless radio spins. Their eyes have always been on the future and on the road – not a year has gone by where REO Speedwagon didn’t perform live, thrilling fans with hit filled sets.

ZZ Top, performing at Rose Music Center in Huber Heights on Sunday, Sept. 24, is one of most enduring American bands of the rock ’n’ roll era. Since 1969, the Texas group has featured the same three musicians: Billy Gibbons (guitar), Dusty Hill (bass) and Frank Beard (drums).

Q: If you could only play one guitar for the next five years, what would it be?

A: “And what crime would I have been convicted of to receive a sentence like that? OK, if it’s gotta be just one, it’s gotta be the one and only ‘Mistress Pearly Gates,’ the magic ’59 Les Paul that’s been a key part of our ‘guitarsinal’ since even before ZZ Top’s first album.”

Q: How well does your latest release, is “Live – Greatest Hits From Around the World,” represent the live ZZ Top experience?

A: “We waded through hundreds of hours of tapes to the find the definitive performance of each of the songs. It’s a great representation of ZZ Top being the best possible ZZ Top. We released it because, well, because it seemed like a good way of keepin’ the groove goin’ even when we’re off the road — a rare circumstance, to be sure.”

In addition to the over 60 visiting artisans displaying and selling their wares, the museum’s permanent collection, including their current special exhibition, “Alphonse Mucha: Master of Art Nouveau,” will be open to patrons.

“The vibe changes from day to night,” said Amy Askins, DAI Oktoberfest Co-Chair. “During the day, it’s more chill. People are more interested in perusing the artisans. At night, it’s packed. It’s a party.”

The preview party will also feature these beverages, accompanied by live music from This Side Up, a Dayton-based rock cover band. Askins said that while lederhosen is certainly welcome, it is not mandatory, or even expected.

“We encourage people who work downtown to come out,” she said. “So they’ll be in their ordinary work attire. But a few people will be wearing (lederhosen) for sure.”

For the main two-day party, there will be a full live music lineup and art-related activities for children. Most importantly, the one beer truck open for the lederhosen lunch and preview party will be joined by five others, bearing breweries such as Fat Head, Mad Tree, Dogfish, Great Lakes, and popular individual varieties such as New Belgium Fat Tire, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, and Stone Arrogant Bastard. On the wine side, an additional Riesling, Chardonnay, and two Cabernet Sauvignons will be added, as well as a Pinot Grigio and a Dark Red.

According to DAI organizers, the food options remain fairly consistent from year to year, with popular favorites such as Zombie Dogz and the Associate Board Alumni (the museum’s own) Brats & Metts. The few notable newbies this year are Kona Ice, Nida Thai, and the Drunken Waffle, which features such delicacies as the Reservoir Dog (a waffled corn dog), the Boba Feta Burger (quarter pounder topped with feta cheese and pesto between a waffle), and the Bocheesian Rhapsody (grilled cheddar and Jack cheese between a waffle).

Every year, the DAI offers an “official mug of Oktoberfest.” According to Chris Schairbaum, DAI Oktobefest Co-Chair, they typically sell over 1,000 of these each year. This year, Bubba Jones Cups, an Ohio potter who specializes in handmade ceramic items for craft breweries and enthusiasts, is designing the mug. There will be 16-ounce and 32-ounce mugs available, along with a few ceramic growlers. A mug purchase comes with a free beer ticket.

According to Askins, they had a larger-than-usual group of artisans applying to participate this year, including Renata Kelly, a wearable art artisan who makes, among other things, a shawl one can wear eight different ways.

“Every year, I go home with a new pair of earrings or a bracelet,” said Askins. “We have a handful of people who work in metal and glass, everything from large sculptures you can hang outside to centerpieces for large rooms to items that can fit in your hand. We have committee heads for all of these areas, and they really went above and beyond as far as recruitment.”

Thunderstruck: America's AC/DC Tribute band is coming to Land of Illusion on Saturday, September 30th. Purchasing a general admission ticket to Land of Illusion is your tickets to the show! Show start at 9 PM and ask that you show up to the park 1 hour early to ensure admission to the park that evening.

Recreating the "Thunder From Down Under" throughout the Southwest, Midwest, Southern and Northeastern United States ...Thunderstruck is constantly adding new cities and aims to please every crowd, playing the songs you know and love from all eras of AC/DC.

Date: Saturday, September 30th

Time: 9:00 p.m.

Tickets: Purchasing a general admission ticket to Land of Illusion is your tickets to the show!